Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

Bitcoin (BTCUSD) fell to $82k band as selling pressure in the cryptocurrency market heated over the last 24 hours

Moniepoint Disburses Over N1tn to SMEs in 2025 Moniepoint Inc. has disbursed over N1 trillion in credit to thousands of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s financial inclusion journey. This achievement is a testament to Moniepoint’s commitment to empowering Nigerian businesses, particularly those in the informal sector, which often struggle to access traditional banking services. The fintech company, which operates as Nigeria’s largest merchant acquirer, processed N412 trillion in transaction value and handled over 14 billion transactions in 2025, powering about 80% of in-person payments nationwide. Moniepoint’s microfinance banking unit…

Elizade JAC, Sterling Bank Launch Auto Financing Partnership Elizade JAC Autoland Limited has partnered with Sterling Bank Plc to offer Nigerians flexible vehicle financing options, with repayment plans stretching up to four years. This partnership combines Sterling Bank’s financial expertise with Elizade JAC’s automotive portfolio and service experience, making vehicle ownership more accessible. The collaboration aims to ease the vehicle acquisition process for individuals, employees, and small and medium-scale enterprises . According to Demola Ade-Ojo, Managing Director of Elizade JAC Autoland Limited, the collaboration will ease the vehicle acquisition process. Customers can select vehicles from JAC Motors showrooms, obtain a…

AXA Mansard Profit Surges by 117% in 2025, EPS Hits 279k AXA Mansard Plc.’s profit after tax grew by 117% to N26.88 billion in the financial year 2025, according to details from the group’s audited financial statement. The significant year-on-year increase in the group’s bottom line was supported by 14% surge in insurance service results and other investment revenue. According to audited financials, AXA Mansard insurance service results surged to N12.836 billion at the end of 2025, up by 14% year on year from N11.269 billion in the comparable period. AXA Mansard Plc.’s insurance revenue edged higher by 59% year-on-year…

Petrol Price May Hit N1,000 Per Litre as Crude Oil Surges Past $70 Petrol prices are expected to rise to N1,000 per litre as crude oil prices surge past $70 per barrel, marking a 10% increase from last week’s price of $64 per barrel. The price hike is attributed to global political tensions, rather than a sudden increase in demand . The Dangote Refinery has already increased its gantry price from N699 to N799 per litre, a 14.3% rise. Marketers are passing on the increased cost to consumers, with some petrol stations selling at N850 per litre, up from N750.…

US Government Enters Partial Shutdown as Congress Misses 2026 Budget Deadline The US government has entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to approve the 2026 federal budget before the midnight deadline, resulting in a temporary lapse in federal funding. The shutdown affects approximately three-quarters of federal operations, including departments overseeing education, health, housing, and defense . The funding lapse followed a breakdown in negotiations amid Democratic outrage over the deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis at the hands of federal immigration agents, stalling discussions on funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Senate had approved a package…

Nigeria, 12 Others to Get AfDB’s $3.9m Energy Support The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $3.9 million technical assistance project to support Nigeria and 12 other African countries in implementing their National Energy Compacts under Mission 300. This initiative aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. The project, known as AESTAP Mission 300 Phase II, will provide direct technical support to the beneficiary countries over the next 24 months, enabling them to move from documented energy plans to actual electricity connections for homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. The countries benefiting from this phase are Chad,…

LFTZ Customs Revenue Increases to N742.3bn Lagos Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated N742.3 billion in revenue in 2025. The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar, disclosed this in Lagos during a Reputation Management Workshop. She said that the figure represented a 101.7 per cent increase over the N359.0 billion recorded in 2024. Abubakar attributed the increase to improved professionalism, discipline and operational efficiency among officers. She said sustained revenue growth was closely linked to the Service’s credibility, noting that ethical conduct and transparency were critical to maintaining the…

EU calls Seeks Immediate Ceasefire in South Sudan The European Union (EU), on friday called for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating security situation in South Sudan, especially in Jonglei State. The bloc made the call in a statement by Mr Anouar El Anouni, the Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. He said that an immediate ceasefire was the only guarantee for peace and stability in South Sudan. According to him, the EU follows with concern the escalating security situation in South Sudan, especially in Jonglei State and calls on all parties to return to the terms of…

NNPC Ltd Unveils Gas Master Plan 2.0 .As part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s gas sector as the engine room of national industrialisation, energy security, and sustainable economic growth, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has officially unveiled its Gas Master Plan (GMP) 2026, tagged NGMP 2026. The unveiling, held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday, 30th Jan, 2026 marks a strategic inflection point in Nigeria’s energy transition journey, underscoring government’s resolve to translate the nation’s vast gas endowment into tangible economic value, infrastructure expansion, and global competitiveness, in alignment with its long-term development aspirations.…